Youth Week

BC Youth Week is a provincial celebration of youth held annually during the first week of May. It is a week of fun and interactive celebration intended to build a strong connection between young people and their communities and to profile the issues, accomplishments, and diversity of youth across the province.

Of course this is a big week for us at the Abbotsford Youth Commission! We look forward to #BCYW! All our plans are below... all the events this year are FREE!

A heartfelt THANK YOU to ALL our amazing AYC Youth Week sponsors! Your contributions have made a huge difference; we couldn't have done it without you. We're grateful for your commitment to empowering and uplifting youth in our community!

Youth Week Events May 1 – 7, 2026!!

Friday May 1st, 2026

Cost: Free Admission
Time: Friday, May 1st, 2:30pm-3:30pm
Where: ARC & MRC Youth Centre
Who: Youth ages 12-18

Kickstarting B.C. Youth Week with fun festivities, tasty treats and hot eats at both youth centers!
Let’s get this PARTY started!!!

Cost: Free Admission
Time: Friday, May 1st, 4:00pm-6:00pm
Where: ARC Arena (dry floor)
Who: Youth ages 12-18

Grab your friends and take over ARC Arena for the ultimate BC Youth Week Laser Tag Showdown.

No Registration Required. Check out our website www.abbyyouth.com or Instagram link @abbyyouth to complete the form and save your spot!

Saturday May 2nd, 2026

Cost: Free Admission
Time: Saturday, May 2nd, 1:30pm-4:00pm

1:30pm - 2:00pm – Beginner Skateboard Lesson (Equipment provided for lessons)
2:00pm - 4:00pm – Main Event/Competition/Prizes/ Craft/Free Drinks

Where: ARC Skate Park

Grab your skateboards/scooters and head over to the ARC Skate Park to join Replay, the City of Abbotsford, Go Play Outside and AYC Staff. We will be kicking off the event with beginners’ lessons, followed by our main event: featuring a skateboard competition, prizes, crafts and free drinks!

Sunday May 3rd, 2026

Cost: $2 for Youth Ages 12-18
Time: Sunday, May 3rd 6:00pm-8:00pm
Where: MRC Pool
Who: Youth ages 12-18

Don't miss out on the Youth Inflatable Pool Party @MRC! Dive into the fun, make waves, and chill with your friends.

Monday May 4th, 2026

Cost: Free Admission
Time: Monday, May 4th, 2:30pm – 4:30pm
Where: ARC and MRC Youth Center
Who: Youth ages 12-18

Join us for an afternoon of fun, music, and unforgettable performances at AYC Karaoke!

Cost: Free Admission

Time: Monday, May 4th, 11:45am - 12:20pm
Where: Colleen and Gordie Howe Gym
Who: This Event is for Howe Students only.

All Howe Students welcome to join members of the Abbotsford Police Department and the Abbotsford Fire Rescue Service in this ultimate Dodgeball showdown!

Tuesday May 5th, 2026

Cost: Free Admission
Time: Tuesday, May 5th, 2:30pm – 4:30pm
Where: ARC and MRC Youth Center
Who: Youth ages 12-18

Join us at both youth centers to create meaningful artwork and raise awareness about Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirit People.

Cost: Free Admission
Time: Tuesday, May 5th, 3:00pm - 5:00pm
Where: ARC Youth Centre – Open Gym
Who: Youth ages 12-18

Roll into the action this BC Youth Week with a fast-paced game of wheelchair basketball at the ARC.

Wednesday May 6th, 2026

Cost: Free Admission
Time: Wednesday, May 6th 12:00pm-2:00pm
Where: Banter Ice Cream
Who: Local Youth Workers

We want to thank Abbotsford’s amazing Youth Workers by hosting a social at one of our amazing local businesses Banter Ice Cream (free ice cream for all Abbotsford youth workers).

Cost: Free Admission
Time: Wednesday, May 6th 2:30pm-4:30pm
Where: ARC & MRC Youth Centre
Who: Youth ages 12-18

Join us as we celebrate the outstanding Youth Center Leadership Team with an inspiring awards ceremony honouring their hard work and dedication this year.

Cost: Free Admission

Time: Tuesday, May 6th, 2:30pm-4:30pm

Where: MRC Youth Centre
Who: Youth ages 12-18

Join us for an afternoon of fun, music, and unforgettable performances at AYC Karaoke!

Who: City Council/Youth Council

Our City Council and Youth Council will come together to volunteer for meaningful collaboration in partnership with Gleaners, a local not-for profit organization.

Thursday May 7th, 2026

 

Cost: Free Admission
Time: Thursday, May 7th, 2:30pm-6:00pm
Where: MRC Youth Centre
Who: Youth ages 12-18

As BC Youth Week wraps up, join us at MRC for a killer finale as we uncover which staff took out the beloved AYC unicorn.

Cost: Free Admission

Time: Thursday, May 7th, 3:15pm-5:30pm
Where: ARC Youth Centre – Open Gym
Who: Youth ages 12-18

Bring your squad and hit the court for the 3on3 Basketball Tournament at ARC!
Free admission, high-energy games, and bragging rights on the line.

For more information, click here to go to our calendar.

 Our amazing title sponsor:

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Our other wonderful sponsors and partners:

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History of BC Youth Week: In 1995, a small group of local municipal planners and youth recreation leaders in the Lower Mainland of British Columbia stumbled across an idea they thought might be an interesting little project. At first, discussions revolved around the idea of organizing a Youth Day. However, this was not big enough for the ambitious group, so they decided to make it an entire week. Thus Youth Week was born. It began with a small handful of municipalities launching a new and exciting initiative to promote partnerships with youth, adults, businesses, government, schools and the media – A Celebration of Youth.

Mission Statement: The BC Youth Week Committee engages individuals throughout BC to collaborate and support each other. We create opportunities that empower youth to be heard, recognized, and celebrated.

Check out the BC Youth Week website to see what is happening all over BC this year!

Youth Week has become an international celebration to promote awareness of youth. It is an opportunity for people around the world to learn about, and from, the youth of their community. During May 1st to 7th, youth in BC will embrace the spirit of Youth Week by participating in activities and events organized by youth for youth, while honoring and celebrating their diversity and their many contributions in their communities.

Youth Week events have included youth award ceremonies, advocacy campaigns, service projects, entertainment events, sporting competitions, educational forums, and other events to showcase, educate and empower youth in our communities. More information, including a sample of the activities that take place during BC Youth Week, can be found on the events listing page.

Wherever Youth Week is celebrated, the idea behind it is the same: Young people are important and need to be recognized in a constructive and positive manner. Their contributions need to be acknowledged and celebrated. Mark your calendar and support youth in your community